WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Grace VanSlooten scored 17 points, Kennedy Blair had 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals, and No. 13 Michigan State beat Purdue 86-65 on Thursday night.
Michigan State took control during a 12-0 run late in the first quarter to build a 27-12 lead. The Spartans also held Purdue to just eight points in the second quarter to extend their lead to 50-23 at the break. The Boilermakers were 2-of-16 shooting in the second quarter.
VanSlooten scored eight points in the third quarter and Michigan State's lead did not drop below 20 points in the second half.
It was the most points Michigan State has scored in a Big Ten game this season.
Inés Sotelo added 12 points and Jalyn Brown scored 11 for Michigan State (19-2, 8-2 Big Ten). Former Boilermaker Rashunda Jones struggled in her return to West Lafayette after playing two seasons for Purdue. Jones was held to five points on 2-of-12 shooting for the Spartans.
Avery Gordon made 9 of 11 shots for 20 points to lead Purdue (11-10, 3-7). Madison Layden-Zay scored 18 points and made six 3-pointers. Hila Karsh added 10 points.
Michigan State has won five of the last six overall meetings with Purdue, and five straight at Mackey Arena.
Up next
Michigan State: Returns home to play No. 9 Michigan on Sunday.
Purdue: Goes on the road to face Minnesota on Sunday.
A 2022 first-round pick (14th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets, McGroarty has struggled to establish himself at the NHL level this season, and one of the central reasons has been injury. He had an upper-body ailment that caused him to miss all of training camp and the first month and a half of the regular season, and a concussion kept him out for a few games in January prior to his AHL re-assignment.
However, he has excelled at the AHL level this season, putting up four goals and nine points in 12 AHL games. There is a good chance that McGroarty will remain with the NHL club through the end of Rust's suspension, as he is eligible to return to the lineup on Feb. 2 against the Ottawa Senators.
McGroarty has three goals and six points in 24 career NHL games.
The clock is winding down on Artemi Panarin’s time with the Rangers, reaching an hour-by-hour countdown after the decision was made Wednesday to hold him out of the lineup until the Olympic break.
Panarin, who will finish his Blueshirts tenure as one of the greatest free agent signings of all time, appears to be using the leverage he has.
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With final say on his destination due to his full no-move clause, there is belief that Panarin would prefer a trade that includes an extension with the club he lands with.
What that extension could look like would presumably vary depending on the organization signing it.
Most of the top contending teams aren’t in a position to extend him now, which could force Panarin to weigh future security with his desire to go to a team that can help him hoist his first-ever Stanley Cup.
At 34, the star Russian wing is naturally looking for a deal with term. He is said to believe he can play for several more years.
Amid minimal signs of Panarin slowing down, however, there appear to be multiple interested parties.
Artemi Panarin moves the puck behind the net during the Rangers’ win over the Flyers on Dec. 20, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Panarin has been linked to at least six teams at one point or another this season, including all three California clubs. Considering he is the top impending free agent available, the widespread inquiries from contenders and bubble teams alike don’t come as a shock.
The friendship between Panarin and Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is well documented, which likely puts Florida at the top of his list. A lot would have to happen on the Panthers’ end to make that work.
Even if the Rangers retained up to 50 percent of Panarin’s $11.64 million cap hit, salary would have to be moved or a third team would have to be brought in to make the numbers fit.
Running with the California theory, San Jose and Los Angeles are probably the most appealing options to both Panarin and the Rangers. The Sharks turned a corner this season behind a young and exciting core, and they are projected to have plenty of cap space next season to handle an addition like Panarin.
Both the Sharks and the Kings have their 2026 first-round pick to offer. The two teams are also neck-and-neck in the Western Conference wild-card race.
San Jose has some enticing prospects and young players who the Rangers could pursue, especially at center.
The Rangers are going to be even thinner down the middle than they were at the start of the season if president and general manager Chris Drury decides to move Vincent Trocheck.
Targeting centermen should be a priority. The Sharks’ deep pool of options, such as Filip Bystedt (27th overall in 2022), Cole McKinney (53rd overall in 2025) and Braden Svoboda (71st overall in 2023), make them an enticing trade partner. Michael Misa (second overall in 2025) would be a top choice, but he is considered part of the core and is unlikely to be made available.
Left wing Igor Chernyshov, who the Sharks selected 33rd overall in 2024, is another notable option.
The Rangers are expected to follow the trade template that most high-scoring wingers have demanded as of late. Expecting a return that’s some combination of NHL-ready players, prospects and picks, Drury will also have to navigate which teams he’d have to retain salary on Panarin for.
Among teams that could fit his entire cap hit with minimal — or any — retention include the Ducks, the Hurricanes and the Red Wings.
Panarin could always go to a team as a rental and be the No. 1 available option on July 1. That might help the dynamic forward maximize his next deal.
Either way, Panarin’s days in Manhattan are numbered.
Teams looking to acquire Panarin presumably would want him to be on the ice, get settled and be ready to hit the ground running after the Olympic break.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Sha'Carri Richardson was arrested and charged with speeding in Florida on Thursday, according to law enforcement.
Richardson was arrested for allegedly going 104 mph (167 kph) on a parkway just outside of Orlando. A spokesperson for the Orange County sheriff's department said she was “dangerously tailgating and traveling across lanes of travel to pass other motorists.”
The 25-year-old sprinter is one of the fastest women of all time, winning a silver medal in the 100 meters in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and gold in the 4x100 relay that same year. Richardson's Olympic medals came after she was disqualified from the 2020 Olympics when she tested positive for chemicals found in marijuana.
Last year, Richardson issued a public apology to her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, after she was arrested on a fourth-degree domestic violence offense for allegedly assaulting Coleman at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in July.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 27: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was nearly 50 years ago the Nets and Nuggets competed in the 1976 ABA Championship, the final ABA game ever. The two teams have had different fates since the merger but that’s not here nor there. The Nets have lost six straight and it isn’t getting easier tonight.
🏀 KEY INFO
Brooklyn Nets (12-33) at Denver Nuggets (31-16)
WHEN: 9:00 PM ET
WATCH: YES Network
⚠️ INJURY REPORT
Nets:
Ziaire Williams: OUT – Left Calf Contusion
Egor Dëmin: OUT – Left Plantar Fascia Injury Management
Cam Thomas: OUT – Left Hamstring Injury Management
Noah Clowney: OUT – Back Injury Management
Haywood Highsmith: OUT – Right Knee Surgery, Injury Recovery
Tyson Etienne: OUT – G League Two-Way
Chaney Johnson: OUT – G League Two-Way
Nuggets:
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)
Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain)
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Bone Bruise)
Cameron Johnson (Right Knee Bone Bruise)
💬 DISCUSSION
Share thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
Love it or hate it, fans’ opinions of Rogers Arena — the Vancouver Canucks’ home rink — have made themselves known. In a recent survey conducted by The Athletic, NHL fans ranked the Canucks’ home arena 29th out of 32 in the league with consideration towards the following criteria; location, amenities, atmosphere, and affordability. Rogers Arena ended up tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rink, Scotiabank Arena, with a score of 5.8 out of 10.
“Rogers will never rank high simply because of its physical size. Being squeezed between two viaducts means tight concourses, which feels like you are constantly being pushed through a toothpaste tube. Visiting other arenas like Climate Pledge you notice that difference immediately,” one person writes in The Athletic’s piece.
They’re not wrong. Despite undergoing various renovations throughout recent years, such as the new scoreboard that caused a concert to be postponed a few years back as well as new seats that have still not been fully installed, Rogers Arena still feels slightly dated compared to some of the shinier new arenas around the NHL — namely the Seattle Kraken’s Climate Pledge Arena, which finished eighth in the poll.
Overall, Vancouver’s scores in the four presented categories don’t quite tell a friendly story. Like the Canucks compared to the rest of the NHL in on-ice performance so far, Vancouver placed within the bottom-two in the league in two of the categories — atmosphere and affordability. Their saving grace was the location itself, right at the edge of downtown Vancouver, which ranks it 12th out of 32nd in the NHL.
Oct 9, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; An overall arena veiw during Canucks player introductions prior to the start of a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Surprisingly enough, Vancouver ranked below arenas like the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary (25th), which is expected to be torn down soon as part of the city’s quest for a new entertainment district. Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles Kings), KeyBank Center (Buffalo Sabres), and Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa Senators) were the only three venues to rank lower than Rogers Arena. Bell Centre (Montréal Canadiens), T-Mobile Arena (Vegas Golden Knights), Benchmark International Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning), Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators), and Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Red Wings) rounded out the NHL’s top-five.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Jan 28, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Dunkstronaut performs during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks
January 29, 2026
Location: Stoat Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
TV: Space City Home Network, ESPN
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+, ESPN App
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Hawks: The Spectre of Trae Young, Dyson “The Vacuum” Daniels, Nickiel-Alexander-Walker, Corey “80s Hair” Kispert, Mouhamed Gueye, Xian Ko-Loko,
Most of the Hawks are injured. Many of the Rockets are injured. That’s how it goes, sometimes.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin is currently the biggest name on the trade market. He’s been informed by the Rangers’ front office that they have no intention of re-signing him, and have given permission to him and his agent to seek out a team or teams they are comfortable with trading him to in order to facilitate a deal from there.
Panarin is 34 years old; his seven-year, $11.6 million contract carries a full no-move clause and will expire on July 1. He’s scored 57 points (19-38=57) in 52 games in 2025-26, and he’s on pace to tally his ninth consecutive season of scoring north of a point-per-game, indicating he has several productive seasons left in the tank.
The Rangers have announced that they will scratch Panarin until at least the Feb. 4 Olympic roster freeze, alleviating the risk of injury. He’s only missed nine games in the last four seasons.
The Anaheim Ducks are reported to have “looked around” at the possibility of acquiring Panarin. On Thursday, multiple NHL insiders reported that Panarin and his agent, Paul Theofanous, are seeking out at least a four-year extension at a $10-12 million AAV with his new team as part of the potential trade, and they’ve reached out to Anaheim as a desired destination.
TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s “Early Trading” that Panarin’s representation has reached out to all three California teams, showing interest, but the Ducks are “out.”
“The Panarin camp has reached out to all three California teams (Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks),” LeBrun said. “With the Ducks, there’s the Joel Quenneville connection from their time together in Chicago. But, I’m told the Ducks are out right now, and I’m told the reason is the extension doesn’t make sense for them.
“They’ve got a lot of young core guys to sign here in the next year or two, and spending four years and $10-11 million, whatever you think the extension will end up at, doesn’t really make sense for Anaheim. So, I have Anaheim out.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman spoke on Panarin and the Ducks on Sportsnet’s “The Fan Hockey Show,” stating the Ducks would have rather traded for him without an extension in place.
“Panarin would like to have an extension as part of this. They’ve (Panarin and his agent) reached out to the Ducks. I think he was pretty interested. But I’ve heard Anaheim is not likely because the Ducks’ preference is not to do an extension right away,” Friedman said. “That they would like to see how the fit goes, potentially. That means it’s likely not going to happen there. That’s what I’ve heard as of last night (Jan. 28). And just a reminder, all of these things can kind of change.”
LeBrun reiterated his own report and echoed Friedman on TSN’s “Insider Trading” as well. As it stands, the Ducks are reported to be unwilling to extend Panarin, given the core talent they’ll have to resign in the summer of 2026 and beyond.
“(The trade) most likely involves teams that aren’t scared to sign a 34-year-old player to a four-year extension to perhaps a double-digit AAV,” LeBrun said on where the most likely landing spot is for Panarin. “That’s what we think the extension will be if this gets done. I’m told if the extension is paramount, the Ducks are out right now. They don’t want to sign that money to a veteran player when they’ve got young pieces to sign.”
The Ducks have over $27.2 million in current cap space and are projected to have over $39.2 million in cap space come July 1. Jacob Trouba, Ross Johnston, Radko Gudas, Ryan Poehling, Jansen Harkins, Petr Mrazek, and Jeffrey Viel will all become unrestricted free agents if they’re unsigned by July 1.
The most significant items on the agenda will be the next contracts of pending restricted free agents Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, along with Ian Moore, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, who will be restricted free agents along the blueline. Those contracts could eat up a sizable chunk of that projected cap space, reportedly enough to detract Ducks’ general manager Pat Verbeek from acquiring Panarin.
Among the most-mentioned teams involved in the Panarin trade rumors at the moment are the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Verbeek has reportedly struggled to acquire a star or marquee talent on the free agent or trade markets during his time as Ducks GM. He was reportedly interested in Alex DeBrincat before he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2023. On July 1, 2024, he reportedly offered then free agents Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each more term and AAV than the contracts they eventually signed with the Nashville Predators.
It’s worth noting that an available star player (Panarin) now reportedly would prefer to play for Anaheim for the next four-plus seasons, and the Ducks are reportedly the ones uninterested. The New York Rangers are reportedly asking for a similar return that the New York Islanders received for center Brock Nelson at the 2025 trade deadline. Nelson was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for Calum Ritchie (an A-/B+ prospect) and a first-round pick.
Jan 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts on the bench during a video tribute shown on the scoreboard during a timeout in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
No athlete has ever had their life play out in the public eye more than LeBron James. For more than two decades, fans have had an up-close view of LeBron.
It’s with that context in mind that Wednesday’s scenes in LeBron’s latest return to Cleveland were noteworthy. During a tribute video that wasn’t unique to this trip back home, emotions overwhelmed LeBron on the bench, moving him to tears.
While retirement has been a possibility for LeBron since he uttered the words after his playoff loss to the Nuggets years ago, this feels like one of the first times it really feels on the cards. LeBron, though, has remained adamant postgame that he hasn’t thought about retirement yet and he doesn’t know if this will be his last season.
LeBron James reiterates that he doesn't know what the future holds for him beyond this season.
That’s been the consistent message from LeBron throughout the year. For now, the approach seems to be to get through this season and then assess things in the offseason with no thought to the future.
However, the emotions of Wednesday do not seem to be someone who may be playing future seasons in the NBA. Sure, LeBron could be taking every moment in and treating each road game as his potential last time in that arena.
LeBron James says every road arena he's been in, he tries to take everything in. Said he hasn't made a decision about his future, but it could always be his last game somewhere
Again, while the special patches have been made for other athletes, this move felt like one made as part of a farewell tour.
There’s a very real chance that this is not his final season and all of this is easily explained away. Right now, that still seems like the likeliest outcome. It would be hard to imagine LeBron quietly riding off into the sunset after the season. And if anyone deserved to be celebrated with a farewell tour, it’d be LeBron.
But the odds of this being LeBron’s final season are increasing. While he may continue to say he hasn’t thought about it and he’ll assess things at the end of the year, he’s acting like someone in the middle of their final season.
Maybe Wednesday was just the moment catching up to him. Maybe he thought back to all those years ago when a teenage LeBron was playing in front of these fans.
Or maybe it was a glimpse into someone realizing that was their last trip back home.
The Winnipeg Jets have faced criticism in recent years for struggling to create opportunities for their young prospects, and that issue has resurfaced with one former first-round pick now openly expressing frustration with the organization.
Selected 20th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Finnish defenseman Ville Heinola was once considered one of the Jets’ most promising prospects. However, as he approaches his 25th birthday in March, Heinola has yet to establish himself at the NHL level. He has appeared in just 53 NHL games, recording one goal and 11 assists for 12 points.
This season, Heinola has spent the majority of his time with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, where he has posted 18 points in 38 games. Despite several injury-related openings on the Jets’ blue line at different points during the season, Heinola has not received an NHL call-up.
Heinola recently spoke candidly about his situation in an interview with Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat, voicing frustration over what he believes has been a lack of opportunity.
“What annoys me the most is that I don't think I've ever had a decent chance in the NHL after my first year,” Heinola said. “I feel like I'm stuck here.”
The defenseman made it clear that remaining in the AHL is not his long-term goal, even though he believes his relationship with the organization remains professional.
Ville Heinola was the first to find the back of the net for the Moose last night. Who will it be tonight?
First Goal Predictor delivered by SKIP is open! Play now to be entered to win a $250 giftcard from @SkipTheDishes
“There's no other way to do this than to play so well that they have no choice but to promote me to the NHL,” Heinola explained. “I think I've been on good terms with everyone. I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about me.”
Heinola added that both he and his agent have consistently tried to work cooperatively with the Jets, but the situation has grown more frustrating as other players receive opportunities ahead of him.
“My game has been going well lately, but there are guys from next door who are making it to the NHL,” Heinola said. “So far, however, I haven't been ready to give up on the NHL dream. I feel and know that I can play there.”
Heinola’s name has surfaced in trade discussions in the past, though no deal has materialized. Earlier this season, the Jets placed him on waivers, a move that did not result in another team claiming him.
“Still, it was a big disappointment that no club picked me up,” Heinola said. “And if that opportunity hasn't come here, why couldn't the club have let me go somewhere else, where I might have had a chance?”
The repeated setbacks have taken a mental toll on the young defenseman, who acknowledged that recent months have been especially challenging.
“This has been by far the most mentally difficult period of my career,” Heinola said.
As the season continues, it remains unclear what the future holds for Heinola. Whether he remains with the Jets, is moved via trade, or eventually finds a fresh start elsewhere is still to be determined. What is clear, however, is that Jets management now finds itself dealing with a once-promising prospect who is growing increasingly frustrated and disgruntled.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Eli Morgan #49 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during Game 3 of the ALCS presented by loanDepot between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Thursday, October 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals announced they have signed 29-year-old right-hander Eli Morgan to a minor league deal. Morgan was excellent in 2024, posting a 1.93 ERA in 32 games with Cleveland in 2024, but appeared in just seven games with the Cubs due to an elbow injury.
Morgan was originally an eighth-round pick by Cleveland out of Gonzaga in 2017. He debuted in 2021, making 18 starts with a 5.34 ERA, but was moved to the bullpen the next season. He found success as a reliever, posting a 3.38 ERA with 72 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 66.2 innings with the Guardians in 2022. He posted his best strikeout season in 2022 with 75 strikeouts, 10.0 per-nine-innings. He was limited to just 42 innings in 2024 due to elbow inflammation, yet posted a career-best 1.1 rWAR.
The elbow inflammation carried over the next season, and after a rough start, he was placed on the Injured List in April. It was diagnosed as an inflamed ulnar nerve in his right elbow, and he suffered a setback in rehab. He was due to return in September, but the Cubs optioned him to the minors instead, where he finished the season. The Cubs elected to non-tender him after the season, rather than pay him around $1 million.
Morgan mixes a 92 mph four-seamer with a slider and changeup. Last year in his limited action, he increased his change-up usage to 41 percent.
The Royals have been building up their bullpen depth in the last week, adding veterans Héctor Neris and Aaron Sanchez on minor league deals. The cost to take a gamble on these players is next to nothing and at the very least they have some arms to pitch in spring training games and potentially at Omaha. And who knows, there’s a chance they have something left in the tank and can contribute to the big league team.
In another timeline, the discussion right now would be about whether Austin Reaves should be an All-Star in the West — that was the level he was playing at before his calf injury.
Now, the conversation is about his return, which could be as early as Friday in Washington, as he has been listed as questionable for the game.
Also questionable for that game is Luka Doncic, who injured his ankle falling off the raised court in Cleveland on Wednesday night. Doncic returned to the game after the fall, but ankles can tighten up over time and the Lakers likely want to be cautious.
Luka Doncic has gone back to the Lakers locker room after appearing to injure his foot stepping back on this shot attempt:pic.twitter.com/uakOseB1GX
"It is absolutely a safety hazard," Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the raised court after his team's loss. "And I don't know why it's still like that. I don't."
Reaves averaged 26.6 points a game, shooting 36.5% from 3-point range, while dishing out 6.3 assists and grabbing 5.2 rebounds a game in the 23 games he played before the injury. The Lakers have gone 9-8 while he was out.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 11: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a pre-season game on October 11, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-28) host the Charlotte Hornets (20-28) on Thursday night. Dallas is playing the second night of a back-to-back, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Hornets have won 4 in a row and look great as they try to surge up the standings. It’s a fun night for the Mavericks as they retire the jersey of 1981 number overall pick Mark Aguirre, a much overdue event.
Heres the main things you need to know before tipoff.
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Charlotte Hornets
WHAT: Retiring Mark Aguirre’s jersey
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
Both Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson are playing tonight after missing the last game with variations on injury management. Brandon Williams is questionable with an ankle injury. Naji Marshall is getting the game off after not missing a game all season. Moussa Cisse is questionable as well. Grant Williams and Mason Plumlee are missing this game for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is listed as probable with a left ankle injury.
Expect a charged game for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki’s expected to be in the building along with Isaiah Thomas to see Aguirre’s jersey retired. It’s going to be an emotional thing for Aguirre. As for the game itself, I think Flagg and Kon go at it in a major way. The Charlotte Hornets are playing much better ball as of late and Dallas might be heading the opposite direction. Institutionally, the Mavericks are tanking, but do not tell the players that. It should be a much better game than the Wolves game where Dallas loooked nearly listless.
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Josh Hart #3, Jalen Brunson #11, OG Anunoby #8 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Emirates Cup Final on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Tom Thibodeau was relieved of his duties after the Knicks’ unceremonious exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in May, there were a few prevailing grievances that led to the coach’s downfall.
One of them was a stubbornness to lineup construction. Thibodeau’s defense always required a rim protector, preventing him from ever considering a small-ball lineup despite the options presented. He played a tight rotation and stuck with his chosen starting lineup through thick and thin, only experimenting due to injuries or desperation.
The lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns started out looking like one of the best starting five’s in the NBA, but heavily regressed after New Year’s for a myriad of reasons. The defense was sub-standard with two flat-out bad defenders and the five-out spacing that the team envisioned fell apart with Hart’s shooting struggles.
Having bad lineups happens, but when they’re played to this extent? It’s alarming. It took until Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final for a change to be finally made. The Knicks used a grand total of 13 starting lineups in 100 games.
Enter Mike Brown, who was hired, in part, for more lineup versatility. He opened the season planning to have Mitchell Robinson start over Hart, but the frequent unavailability of the load-managing big man forced some different lineups, which included Ariel Hukporti, Deuce McBride, and Landry Shamet.
Eventually, Hart, who got off to a brutal start to the season, was put back in the starting lineup when OG Anunoby went down with an injury. Instead of reverting to a lineup with Robinson or McBride, however, Hart stayed in the starting lineup for the December 5th bludgeoning of the Jazz when Anunoby returned.
It started out great. The lineup had an exceptional +21.5 net rating in 77 minutes across 10 games through mid-December. It was being used in proper doses and wasn’t being leaned on for nearly 20 minutes a night.
A big reason for the big turnaround was an elite 106.4 defensive rating. Despite two negative defenders on the court, the lineup worked and the offense was supercharged by Hart’s newfound shooting stroke.
And then, suddenly, it fell apart. Since December 20, that lineup has played 106 minutes across nine games and has a putrid -8.4 net rating. All of a sudden, that elite offense had fallen apart and opposing offenses began exploiting the defensive shortcomings of Brunson and Towns.
This, coupled with the team’s overall struggles (which may be in the rearview mirror…), has caused some discussion on whether Mike Brown should embrace a different lineup. After all, he’s already used more starting lineups (16) than Thibs used last year in half the games.
But is it so simple? There are four realistic candidates for a fifth starter around the team’s top four. Assuming no Giannis-level trade occurs before the deadline, the Knicks will have the next 2.5 months to figure out which of the four gels the best between Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson.
The case for Deuce McBride
The most criminally underpaid player in basketball, Deuce has been a reliable 3-and-D asset for the Knicks since he emerged into the rotation 25 months ago after the team traded away Immanuel Quickley. There have been some inconsistent stretches (and a few injuries), but the 25-year-old has taken another leap in his spot-up shooting and is probably the team’s best point-of-attack defender.
If you want a true five-out lineup, this is the choice. Everyone in this lineup can shoot, even if OG is struggling mightily from above-the-break. It’s a dream for Mike Brown. It also gives you someone to stick on a star guard like Tyrese Maxey or Donovan Mitchell, allowing Bridges to do what he does best off the ball.
What do the numbers say about this lineup? Well, similar to the current starters, it’s gotten significantly worse as the season has progressed:
Pre-December 20: +12.3 net (26 min) Post-December 20: -7.1 net (66 min)
What’s interesting about these lineups is that Deuce is helping the offense go into hyperspeed. Even since 12/20, when the team has looked much worse on both sides of the ball, this lineup has a blistering 130.5 offensive rating. It’s just the defense that’s the problem because, personally, I don’t think a 137.6 defensive rating is good.
As you’ll see with Shamet, it just seems to be a common trend in Brunson and Towns’ lineups. Whether it’s possible for them to be co-stars is a story for another day. If you want to maximize the offense, it’d be smart to go with a lineup that has a 127 ORtg in 92 minutes.
Deuce McBride 3pt sniper
• 46% from 3 (4th in NBA min 100 attempts) • 2nd in the NBA in above the break 3P% (min 50 attempts) • 19th in 3PM per game
It’s going to be sad when the Knicks won’t be able to retain Landry Shamet this offseason. They snagged him late in the offseason the last two years and have gotten quality bench minutes out of the journeyman wing. His spot-up shooting ability has fully returned after concerns it disappeared in Washington, as he’s shoot 41% from downtown in 72 total games as a Knick. Some of this team’s best runs have come with him on the court.
So why not give him a shot to start? He has started six games this season due to injuries, but hasn’t since he hurt his shoulder in Orlando in November. Since then, he’s had an up-and-down role as a reliable shooter who can hold his own defensively and provides needed hustle.
Wrote this in my story for tomorrow on the Knicks' improved defense, but can't understate how much Shamet's return and Brown's change in rotation has helped with the defense.
The problem is that Shamet with the starters is the worst performing of these lineups, at -5.8 on the season in 57 minutes. It’s also not a “whole team struggling” problem, as it was negative when he went down in November.
Shamet’s two most-used lineups aside from the starters have something in common: no Brunson or Towns.
McBride-Clarkson-Shamet-Anunoby-Towns: +30 net (23 min) Brunson-McBride-Shamet-Anunoby-Robinson: +59.2 net (23 min)
He plays well with McBride and Anunoby, which makes sense, but the other pieces are free-flowing. It doesn’t appear that he’s a good fit for the starters, especially considering he’s kinda like Deuce in his strengths, just slightly worse while being bigger. Still, if Deuce is ever out, it’s worth considering.
The case for Mitchell Robinson
The lineup that the Knicks came into the season hoping to use hasn’t been used nearly as much as it should, but that’s due to injuries. Mike Brown and the training staff came into 2025-26 with a clear plan to limit Robinson’s workload to maximize him for the playoffs. That means no back-to-backs, no 30+ minute games, etc.
But at some point, the Knicks will probably encounter a matchup where they just cannot take Big Mitch off the court. If he isn’t ready to play that workload, they’re crippling themselves. By that nature, it seems likely that Mitch will continue to increase his in-game workload as the season goes on.
Unlike the other three lineups, the starters with Mitch have been a significant positive, posting an elite +12.4 net rating in 51 minutes behind stellar defense.
However, once again, that number is dragged down by the team’s recent slump. The lineup has only played 16 minutes together since mid-December and has gotten eviscerated on both ends of the floor. It really just seems like a team-wide issue, as there are multiple lineups with different strengths and weaknesses, all struggling concurrently.
So, again, it’s a story for another time with the whole Brunson-Towns tandem, but what does Mitch provide that the others don’t? How about game-breaking rebounding?
In the lineup’s brief time together, they’re killing teams with a 53.3% overall rebounding share and a ludicrous 37.1% offensive rebounding rate. It’s a common theme with Robinson, whose second-most used lineup (w/Brunson/McBride/Hart/Bridges) has a near-50% offensive rebound rate.
The possession battle with the double big is a tremendous advantage, especially on days that the Knicks are making shots. That’s an unstoppable offense and should mask defensive issues. It also provides a real rim protector and should help with the team’s struggles defending the pick-and-pop and drive-and-kicks.
The case to stay with Josh Hart
If the Knicks hadn’t just won four in a row, the calls to make a drastic change would be louder. Now that they’ve stabilized, is that the best course of action?
The last four games have featured Thibs-ian levels of starter usage, with the starting five playing a staggering 58 minutes in that span. No other combination featuring the Big Four has more than two minutes. The lineup hasn’t been dominant by any stretch, but has been +2.3, the best stretch in a good bit.
The biggest problem with Hart last season was both his unwillingness to shoot and his poor efficiency when he did. This year? He’s one of 21 qualified players to be shooting 40% from deep on at least four attempts a game. Only one other Knick (Deuce) can say they’re in that club. When Josh is firing from distance, it’s going in.
Plus, this lineup provides something that the other ones can’t attest to: secondary playmaking.
Josh Hart is the Knicks’ third-best playmaker. The top two, Brunson and Kolek, are both small point guards and should rarely share the floor. Without Hart, the Knicks rely too much on Brunson initiating the action on every single play, whether it’s iso ball or finding an open shooter through a drive to the rim. Hart can alleviate some of that as a willing passer who only shoots when he knows he can make it.
There’s no perfect solution for the Knicks right now, as they try to balance an inconsistent bench and inconsistent shooting and defense. This upcoming stretch will tell them a lot about how things will go as the playoffs draw nearer, and it’s worth experimenting when you can.
“It is too expensive,” Weah was quoted as saying this month by France's Le Dauphiné. “I am just a bit disappointed by the ticket prices. Lots of real fans will miss matches.”
“First of all, I think players need to talk on the pitch, playing football, not outside of,” Pochettino said Thursday during a Zoom news conference from Coral Gables, Florida. “It is not his duty to evaluate the price of the ticket. And then also my job, my duty is to prepare the team, the U.S. men’s national team in the best way to perform. We are not politicians. We are sport people that only we can talk about our job and I think if FIFA does something or takes some decision, they know why, and (it) is their responsibility to explain why. But it is not about us to provide our opinion. Our responsibility is to perform, play and perform on the pitch and then the people that is in charge of the federation, maybe he can give his opinion, but I am the head coach of the federation."
The U.S. has friendlies against Belgium (March 28), Portugal (March 31), Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6) before their World Cup opener against Paraguay in June 12 at Inglewood, California.
